| Our Windows of Questions Our Book of Knowledge! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Early one morning! Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19) (By: Pastor L.R. Simas, Sr.) 03-23-08 |
Jesus was speaking of the building. In fact (and sad for them)
they didn't realize that Jesus was speaking of Himself, and this
would lead to salvation for the world!
How many of us believe in the same manner as those of
yesteryear?? What will it take for people of today to turn from
unbelief to repentance and belief in the only one that is the way,
the truth, and the life??
Jesus once said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in
exchange for his soul?”(Matthew 16:26) How indeed could we of
this day answer this same question?? As it is as true today as
when Jesus spoke it many years ago.
Now with this in mind, Jesus knew that His life was in
jeopardy. He placed it so, as He knew why He came to dwell
among us. Isaiah spoke to this subject saying of He who would
come among us, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his
name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) Also repeated in Matthew's gospel
"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall
be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his
name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
(Matthew 1:22-23) What was the mission? It was to give His
life for a ransom, and only once!!
Why would anyone give their life for people without a reason or
gain?? Again God, Himself provides the answer, "For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Love! Yes love is the reason and the
answer and Jesus is (was) and remains pure love!!
Sunday (sometimes called Easter Sunday) will be the day when
many of us will celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. I wonder
how many of us know the reason why it is celebrated and more
importantly what its significance means for the unsaved.
Let me take you back to a time long ago that is as important
today (if not more so) as it was then. Jesus' earthly ministry was
coming to an end and no one knew it more then Jesus. He was
about to under go the (in my opinion) most difficult part.
Remember, Jesus knows all things that would happen to Him
and to us too!!
The time was Passover and Jesus desired to spend it with His
own. He also knew this would be the last time He'd spend time
with these (until later when He would return). While this is the
ending of Jesus’ earthly ministry it too was the beginning of
what Paul would later call the Lord's Supper.
Jesus struggles with the impending future. As a man He has to
suffer and die and I'm sure we wouldn't be as brave or as
obedient knowing what was soon to befall us. Well, the man part
of Jesus most likely was feeling much the same. He spoke of this
in His prayer to the Father, with His own words Jesus says, " ...
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt “(Matthew 26:39).
Notice He says not my will, but as God wills. With these
powerful words and the actions that follow, Jesus provides
eternal life for all that would believe. Could you, me, or anyone,
other then our most loving Lord Jesus pay the price in full for
the sin that caused man to be in such need? No! Only Jesus
would do! Because He (unlike us) was sinlessly perfect.
After that dreadfully pain filled and sorrowful day, long ago,
when man killed that man. Early one morning and (just as He
said) three days later, He whom they didn't understand a few
days earlier, rose from the dead! The temple stood fully restored
and in the amount of time as He foretold the leaders of that time.
He stood alive and the price of sin was paid in full!
Because of His willingness and obedience to a righteous God, we
have been given a precious gift! The gift of eternal life in heaven
with the very one that paid our way. We must understand that
salvation is a free gift and is made up of three things the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus, who is the Christ. With any
part missing the gift of salvation would not be valid.
If you think that you can go to heaven in any other way other
then by the work (finished work) of Jesus on the cross, you my
friend are sadly mistaken or have been mislead. John said it best,
" The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world." (John 1:29) John knew that Jesus was (and still is) the
only way to heaven and eternal life.
So, if you are thinking of celebrating Easter, Resurrection day, or
whatever you call it. Please remember that no matter what the
traditions, religions, or belief systems of today say about heaven
or getting there. The Bible, the word of God is the final authority
and say on what is right and wrong with regard to heaven and
how it is gained and by whom it is provided.
Early one day, some two thousand years ago, on a blood soaked
hill, a righteous and sinless and perfect man was nailed to a cross.
He took on the world's sin and died horrifically and totally alone,
for you and me and the world. So that heaven could be open to
all! All that is needed for anyone, anywhere, anyplace to do is
thank that man for his one time death, burial, and resurrection
on and for our behalf. Call on His name, Jesus, and you too can
be with him in heaven. Acts 4:12 says of Jesus " Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Also in Romans
10:13 it says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved."
Remember, friend the decision is your and yours for all eternity.
If you are saved may I say amen! If not, then may I say,
Jesus died for you, will you live for Him?? Please feel free to e-
mail or write at the address below. With love in Christ, I am His
servant and yours,
Pastor Popeye
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |